I made up a large batch of sourdough loaves this weekend, but decided to have one of them as a full-flavoured savoury loaf! And having the ingredients in the kitchen, I couldn't not make a version of pesto sourdough!
Rather than spread home-made pesto over the dough before rolling it up, which I often do with pesto breads, I wanted the more defined ingredents of a typical pesto to come through, so I just added chunks of Parmesan, some toasted pine nuts, roasted garlic cloves and a little fresh basil to the sourdough following its bulk fermentation before rolling it up, proving and baking.
If there are few things more enticing than the smell of any bread baking, the smell of the bread baking along with the Parmesan as it melts and caramelises is to die for! And the smell of the cut cooled loaf is wonderful.
My full blog post is at https://bakingfanatic.wordpress.com/2015/01/25/deconstructed-pesto-sourdough-loaf/
http://bakingfanatic.wordpress.com/2015/01/25/deconstructed-pesto-sourdough-loaf/#sthash.xEnHkN4I.dpuf
Magnificent! I love the smell of cheese melting and your loaf looks great and must taste as good as it looks.
Thanks. Yes the smell is amazing. The loaf didnt last long and I've now another on its bulk fermentation to make more of these.
Bakingfanatic: I love your idea of deconstructing it. I will have to try it some time. Thanks for sharing your lovely pesto bread. Best, Phyllis
A pleasure. I hope you enjoy it
Perfect in pizza dough, ciabatta and focaccia too! One of the best smelling breads of all time. Yours looks like a fine example. Well done and happy baking
Thank you. Yes, the smell is amazing and it eats so very easily!
The pine nuts put it over the top. What a great idea to "deconstruct" a dish/flavor/sauce for the purposes of a great sourdough loaf!
Yes the pine nuts in there do make a world of difference. I have made the bread without and it is nice, but with the pine nuts it really adds an extra dimension
This is something I definitely want to try. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks. yes do try it and I hope you enjoy it